Next Generation Information Commons:  Retooling and Refining the Vision 

(Oct. 13, 2009; 11 a.m Pacific | 12:00 p.m. Mountain | 1:00 p.m. Central | 2:00 p.m. Eastern; 1.5 hours)

Some information commons are now more than ten years old and are in need of refreshing in terms of conception, configuration, technologies, and services.  Others are so popular that additions are planned, either adjacent to the existing commons, on other floors, or in other buildings on campus.  Through the use of principles and practical examples, participants will learn about trends in information and learning commons.  A wide variety of photos will be used to illustrate the presentation.

This session will explore:

    * New goals and rationales for information/learning commons

    * Special purpose spaces

    * New service collaborations

    * New technologies

    * Links between physical and virtual spaces

    * Design and aesthetics

    * Assessment

Intended audience:

This session is intended for librarians and other involved in planning the next phase of an institution’s existing information or learning commons program.  This could involve revamping spaces or services in a commons, planning for additional spaces to supplement an existing commons or planning for specialized spaces within the library or in other buildings to supplement a commons.

Registration (for a fee) is available at: